Illinois State University has postponed Wednesday's men's basketball game against Loyola.
"Illinois State University has determined it is unable to compete," said a news release.
An athletic department spokesperson declined to say whether the reason is COVID-19 among players or staff, but the department's statement pointed to the Missouri Valley Conference policy on forfeiture revised just on Dec. 29. That policy notes that an institution will be required to play a conference game if it has eight or more student-athletes and one or more countable coaches available.
The conference policy also states, "Notably, an institution may play if it fails to meet those minimum roster standards."
Loyola's game last Sunday against Southern Illinois University also was postponed for unspecified reasons. That news release suggested SIU could not play. SIU's home game vs Drake on Wednesday also is postponed.
All of these schedule changes come amid the backdrop of soaring COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant of the coronavirus. The virus also proved disruptive to to the end-of-year college football bowl games.
